Free weekend admission for National Heritage Week 2024
By Steven Galvin - Last update
Get Daily news and updates directly to your Email
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has announced two days of free admission to over 80 heritage sites on the 17th and 18th August, the opening weekend of National Heritage Week 2024.
“We are delighted to offer free admission to OPW Heritage sites on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th August. With more than 80 sites across the country, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy. We hope that the public take full advantage of the range of creative, engaging, and imaginative events on offer for all ages.
“A thread that runs throughout National Heritage Week and the wider work of the OPW heritage services is to stimulate interest, meaningful inclusion and community connection. The OPW is pleased to support National Heritage Week to ensure individuals, groups and families can get out and explore all that the country and its heritage attractions have to offer. Our free admission days allow greater numbers of visitors to connect with our past and hopefully gain a deeper appreciation of the breadth and variety of sites cared for by the OPW. Clonmacnoise Monastic Site ties in perfectly with the theme. St Ciarán founded the monastery at this particular location due to its connections. It is accessible over roads but also via the River Shannon. A centre of learning, it became a university of its time, with a network of students all over Europe.”
Rosemary Collier, Head of Heritage Services & Capital Works Delivery said:
“At OPW, we work all year round to protect the heritage sites in our care. We provide the public with access to incredible sites and immersive tours. The theme for this year, “Connections, Routes and Networks” offers the opportunity to explore the ways we are connected to each other through physical or cultural connections. Our sites offer a rich tapestry of crafts and traditions that tell the story of the connections between our people, heritage, communities and culture. With more than 80 sites across the country, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy”.
This National Heritage Week, the OPW will invite visitors to explore the links between people and communities, to look at what brings us together and what connects us.
Physical routes dot the landscape, roads, paths, boreens, rivers and canals, and remind us that societies have always strived to connect. Discover a pathway into our past at Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre in the form of a togher – an Iron Age road – built in 148 BCE. More recently, at Derrynane House, a 190-year-old poem by Daniel O’Connell’s daughter led to the discovery of a lost pathway in dense woodlands to the north of the Liberator’s house.
The exploration of our intangible heritage through this theme allows us to understand our connections through sport, pastimes, hobbies, family connections, religion and traditions. At Ionad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh, Connemara – Pearse’s Cottage, you can explore what drew Patrick Pearse to Connemara – the area’s unique landscape and the ancient Gaelic culture and language which is still alive today.
Meanwhile, in Dublin, visitors to Pearse Museum – St Enda’s Park can see where the leader of the 1916 Rising, Patrick Pearse, and his brother Willie, lived and operated their pioneering Irish-speaking school from 1910 to 1916.
An initiative of the Heritage Council, supported by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, National Heritage Week focuses on engaging with heritage in all its forms whether as individuals, families, communities or organisations.
Welcoming the free admission initiative, Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive at the Heritage Council said:
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome the OPW’s decision to open over 80 of its sites for free admission during the opening weekend of National Heritage Week in 2024 – a testament to the excellent partnership we have shared with the OPW over many years. It will bring immense benefits to the public, allowing families and visitors to experience some of the richest and most beloved heritage sites in Ireland. National Heritage Week is a fantastic festival of events, where everyone from big organisations to small voluntary community groups come together to make significant contributions to the celebration of our national heritage.”
Over the coming weeks, a full programme of OPW National Heritage Week events will be announced. These include a collaboration between OPW and NPWS guides at Glendalough, a community-generated exhibition of the social history of the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin and an expert-led exploration of medieval pilgrimage in Tipperary at the Rock of Cashel.
Free admission to all fee-paying sites except for Kilmainham Gaol Museum. For a full list of OPW Heritage Sites, please see heritageireland.ie
National Heritage Week runs from the 17th to 25th August 2024. Visit heritageweek.ie for a full list of 2024 events
Cultural and Heritage Studies – QQI MAJOR 5 AWARD
Blended Learning – Mix of Classroom & Online, History Course by Dublinia – Dublin
*in collaboration with the City of Dublin Education Training Board Course Outline This programme is intensive and rewarding for the learner providing the practical experience and knowledge needed for employment in the Heritage and Tourism industry or move into further […]
Creative writing courses are not just for aspiring authors looking to write the next bestseller. Whether you want to improve your writing skills, explore a new hobby, or enhance your professional communication, taking a creative writing course can offer surprising […]
Design Thinking is a human-centered approach to problem-solving that encourages innovation by deeply understanding users’ needs, redefining problems, and creating solutions that are both effective and practical. It is rooted in the way designers work, but it can be applied […]
Risk management has become a critical skill for individuals and organizations alike. Taking a risk management course equips professionals with the tools and strategies needed to identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks, ensuring that businesses remain resilient, adaptive, and sustainable. […]
Every year on 16th October, the world comes together to celebrate World Food Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness and taking action against global hunger. The theme for World Food Day 2024 is “Right to Foods for a Better […]
Equine Studies courses in Ireland offer students the opportunity to combine a passion for horses with practical and academic knowledge, preparing them for careers in the equine industry. These programs typically cover a wide range of topics, including horse care, […]
An Irish History course offers a unique opportunity to delve into the rich and intricate tapestry of Ireland’s past, from ancient Celtic traditions to pivotal moments in modern history. By studying our history, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the […]
If you’ve ever admired the delicate, intricate designs on beautifully crafted cakes and wondered how to create such edible art, a Sugar Craft Cake Modelling course may be your perfect opportunity to dive into the world of cake artistry. Whether […]
Lifelong learning has become essential in today’s fast-changing world. The ability to continuously adapt, acquire new skills, and remain open to knowledge is crucial for both personal and professional development. Whether you’re an experienced professional looking to advance your career […]
Yesterday was International Literacy Day, celebrated annually on September 8th, shines a spotlight on the importance of literacy as a fundamental human right and a foundation for lifelong learning. Since its inception in 1967 by UNESCO, this day has been […]
The HPAT (Health Professions Admission Test) is a standardized test used primarily in Ireland to assess the aptitude of candidates seeking admission to medical and health-related degree programs, such as medicine, dentistry, and other allied health professions. The test is […]
Comments